The Avenue puts mental health awareness to the front of its mind

Staff at The Avenue in Newton Mearns recently undertook Mental Health Awareness Training provided by contractor ABM via the NHS, giving them an understanding of what mental health is and what factors can affect wellbeing.
By Dawn Renton
Published 1st Aug 2019, 10:45 BST

Michelle McCabe, Centre Manager at The Avenue said: “We welcome the public in to our shopping centre every day, and most people do not know what to do in a mental health crisis. We strive to give the best customer service possible and wanted our team to be confident recognising when a person might be in need.”

The course taught practical skills of how to spot the signs of mental illness giving those attending the confidence to step in and support a person who needs assistance. The course offered general information about mental health problems, contributors and understanding to remove the stigma when approaching a person in distress.

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One staff member from The Avenue who participated said: “The course was very interesting. Previously I did not appreciate how wide a scope mental health covers. The training has improved my listening skills, provided me with a better attitude towards mental health and informed of potential real-life scenarios we could face working in a busy shopping centre.”

Participants from The Avenue’s Housekeeping and Maintenance team (contracted by ABM) have received Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid (SMHFA) qualifications.

Related topics:NHSParticipantsScotland